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This Is Me--2019 A to Z Theme

The Challenge of 2019 was the 10th! Since this was kind of a milestone year for A to Z my theme was a retrospective of sorts, looking at my 10 years as a blogger as well as ruminations about my life as it is and as I hope it yet can be. I've got places to be and people to see along the way. Hope you'll join me for this part of my journey...

Always a work in progress--welcome to my blog.

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Friday, February 8, 2019

Not the Red House (#BOTB Results)

If I lived in a White House I would never paint it red. If I did, I'm sure my neighbors wouldn't like it and my neighborhood association would fine me big time....

My most recent Battle of the Bands featured Paul Robeson and Sam Cooke doing their versions of "The House I Live In" which was first popularized by Frank Sinatra. I was pretty sure going in that Robeson didn't stand much of a chance with his operatic baritone when put up against the more pop styling of the great Sam Cooke. And my hunch was correct with a big win going to Sam Cooke.

From the standpoint of listening pleasure (comfort?) I would prefer to hear Cooke's version for repeated listening. However, I'm going to give my vote in this match to Robeson. I agree with the voters who suggested that Robeson's version had a greater authenticity. In comparing the two versions, to my sense of hearing Cooke offered a slick pop sound that is smooth like honey. On the other hand, Robeson's version had a gravitas that made the song almost like a patriotic prayer. Listening to each version with eyes closed I could imagine Cooke professionally laying down his vocal in a studio where as I listened to Robeson I could picture walking along with him through his hometown as he proudly points out the places and people he is singing about.

My vote doesn't change anything in the outcome, but I thought it was a song worth sharing at this time. Even though I was very sure that Robeson would lose, I wanted to have this particular Battle at this particular time because it just seemed like a good time to do it. I hope you enjoyed the song.

Final Vote Tally

Paul Robeson 5Sam Cooke 16

Next Battle on Friday February 15th

That's next Friday and this might be a Battle that I think most of you will enjoy. Since the music I'll be using relates to the Oscars (coming up soon!), I will also be including my rant against the Academy. I'm not a fan of those awards and something regarding my Battle music choice made me even more disgusted with them. Maybe you'll agree with me, but maybe you won't. We'll find out I guess.

Before that Friday post I might have a big announcement to make. That might come on Monday if I get motivated enough to compose that post. Then again, Friday's post might be my next one. I'll have to think on this a bit.

Are you looking forward to the Oscars? Any inkling about what my Oscar beef is about and what Oscar related song I'll be using? Want to dare a guess about my special announcement?

I think you are taking a risk asking people to guess about your announcement! Who knows what people might say?

I have not watched the oscars for years, though we always did when I was younger. My grandpa, a two time winner, got a ballot from the Academy every year to vote for the winners. Since he never went to movies any more at that point he gave my dad the ballot to cast. We'd have seen most of them and would discuss and vote for my grandfather.

These days the oscars are simply a political event run by liberals. It has become a platform for (the tragically misnamed) "social justice" and for libs to spew their thinly veiled hate about anything even traditional, let alone conservative.

There: I gifted you with a mini-rant of my own about the Oscars. They used to mean something. I guess they STILL mean "something" but it ain't good!

STMcC, the Oscars to me are perversely magnetic. I'm drawn into this vortex of industry vanity and self-congratulations with a certain revulsion and wistful memories of those old awards shows hosted by the likes of Bob Hope who kept things in check.

I'm not too crazy about Oscars or Grammys or any of those trophy parties. Too political for my tastes, and if there is someone that I might enjoy, they typically have to go and open their mouths and ruin it for me. The best thing about about a Book boyfriend or Movie Boyfriend? You can close the book and turn off/walk out of the movie when you are done with them.

Lisa, forget about that news at least for now. I had a dumb idea and the confluence of a lot of dumb ideas all around us gave me second thoughts about what I was thinking to announce. But who knows? I might change my mind again next week.

Cherdo, I haven't seen any of the Oscar nominees for this year let alone most from last year. No, I'll be talking about last year's awards in keeping with my current state of unawareness about current pop culture.

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

A to Z 2019!!

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Who's responsible for this blog anyway?

A juggler of words and phrases. My main blog is Tossing It Out. The focus blog for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge can now be found at a-to-zchallenge.com where updates will be posted until the event in April begins.
Wrote By Rote is about memoir writing.
A Few Words is my Sunday contemplation blog.
A Faraway View is about dreams. Pick what you like or look at them all. I love blogging!